Improvement in car-couplings



A. MIDDLETON,1`r. Gar-Bouplivngs.

"910.142,492. Patented September 2, 1873.

ITNrrED STATES PATENT ALLEN MIDDLETON, JR., OF PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

`Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 142,492, datedSeptember 2, 1873; application filed January 2, 1873.

" junction with springs D D', substantiallyas shown in the inverted planview in the accompanying drawing, so that in starting the train thepulling-force exerted at one end of the car'will be exerted, through themedium of the spring, at the opposite end of the car, and-will betransmitted through the entire frame-work, the said springs also servingas bumpersprings to absorb the shocks which take place when the carsmeet.

Gr represents the frame-work of an ordinaryl car, and near the oppositeends ofthe same are secured springs D and D', each consisting in thepresent instance of two side plates, a a, two cross-plates, b and b',and `intervening elastic medium of any appropriate character.

-The rod A extends from one spring to the other, and passes through bothsprings, and has at each extreme end a head, d, contained within theadjoining draw and bumper head B so as to bear against shoulders in thesame when the rod is drawn in one direction, but so as to slide freelyin, and independently of, the bumper-head when the rod is drawn in theopposite direction.

Supposing the bumper-head B at the end of `the car-to the right to bedrawn in the direction of the arrow, the rod A must necessarily follow,and thisit will do without acting upon the spring D' 5 it will, however,pull the drawhead at the opposite end of the car against 4 the plate bof the spring D, the elastic medium of which` will, in a measure, lessenthe shock, but the further pulling-force exerted by the rod to draw thecar forward in the direction of the arrow will be transmitted throughthe entire frame-work of the car from the spring D outward 5 hence theframe cannot be subjected to the severe strains which, with the usualconnections, it will experience on starting a train. When the car isdrawn in a direction opposite to that pointed out by the arrow the pulltakes place from the spring D', and when two cars meet the bumper-headsare forced against the plates b 'of the springs, and the latterconsequently diminish the shocks.

It is not essential, in carrying out my invention, that the Vsprings atthe opposite ends of the car should be connected by a rigid bar, A, as achain, or a system of links, or other equivalent'connecting medium mightbe substituted for the said bar.

I am aware that the couplings at opposite ends of a car have beenconnected by longitudinal rods, and that sprin gs have been arrangedbetween each of said couplings and the end beam of the car. I,therefore, do not claim, broadly, couplings, rods, and` springs soarranged; but

I claim as my invention-` The combination of the draft-rod J, extendingfrom end to end ofthe ear, with springboxes D and D', and draw-bars Band B', the draft-rod extending through both boxes and through theirfixed and movable plates b' and b, and having at its opposite ends headsd adapted to the draw-bars, all4 substantially as as and for the purposespecified.

In testimony whereof I have signed myl name to this specification in thetwo subscribing' witnesses.

` ALLEN MIDDLE'LON, JR.

presence ot I Witnesses WM. A. STEEL, HUBERT HowsoN.

